I Cubed Inventions, the nation’s premier student invention competition for children in grades 1-8, has announced that the first place winner of the 2015 I Cubed Challenge, Hannah Schow, was selected by Microsoft to receive a private tour of the Microsoft facility in Redmond, Washington.Hannah, a third grader, was selected to win first place for her invention entitled “The Deaf-Mic”, which will enable people who are hard-of-hearing to understand words more clearly, especially in noisy environments.Hannah knows first-hand about hearing loss because she was born without ears due to a genetic disorder called Treacher Collins disease. After numerous surgeries, Hannah is making tremendous progress and with a special headband now experiences only a 10% hearing loss. Her tour of Microsoft will occur just three days before her next surgery. “It is heart-warming to see Microsoft take such a personal interest in this creative little girl”, said Beth Brubaker, I Cubed co-founder and CEO.The I Cubed Challenge first place trophy was awarded to Hannah during her private tour of Microsoft. Brannon Zahand of Microsoft created an actual working prototype of Hannah's Deaf-Mic invention idea, plus Microsoft gave Hannah a brand new Dell computer fully loaded with Windows 10!I Cubed encourages students as young as first grade to think about how they can help others, as Hannah has done. Despite her own challenges and surgeries, Hannah is inventing ideas that will make life easier for others who are deaf. The 2016 I Cubed Challenge theme is “Environmental Inventions”.For more information about the I Cubed student invention program visitwww.icubedusa.org.

Young inventor Gus Hickman, an Invent Idaho State winner, appeared on NBC's Today Show on Friday, April 10. Gus invented the Easy-For-Me Bike Helmet and was selected as a finalist in Shell's "Make the Future" contest for this outstanding entry. Gus was flown to New York City to appear on the Today Show. Congratulations, Gus! Let Gus be your inspiration to keep on inventing! View Gus on the Today Show by following this link: http://www.today.com/money/anti-bully-band-better-bike-helmet-meet-kids-inventing-future-t14466.